Vectrex

The Vectrex, developed by Western Technologies/Smith Engineering and released by General Consumer Electronics in 1982, was the only home console to generate vector graphics using a built-in cathode-ray tube, distinguishing it from television-based systems of its era.

The Vectrex differed from its contemporaries by functioning as a standalone display, not requiring a television. It housed a 9-inch black-and-white vector-scan CRT¹⁷¹⁶, though one source cites a 10-inch monitor⁸. The screen’s vertical orientation and 80-column by 40-line resolution⁷ lent itself to arcade-style proportions, and its vector technology enabled sharp, glowing lines capable of simulated depth through rotation and zooming effects unachievable on raster displays⁷. To simulate color, each game shipped with a translucent plastic overlay that clipped onto the screen bezel, a low-tech fix that became a signature trait⁷¹¹¹⁶.

The system centered on the Motorola 68A09 microprocessor, running at 1.6 MHz derived from a 6 MHz crystal via an internal divide-by-four circuit¹. This was a more advanced choice than the MOS 6502 used in many home systems of the time, and lent the Vectrex a performance edge in vector calculations⁸. The system could address 32K of external memory, with all 16 address lines accessible on the expansion bus¹. An 8K ROM housed the built-in game Mine Storm, a deliberate homage to Asteroids¹⁸. Despite its standalone nature, the machine supported cartridge-based software, with titles including Pole Position⁹¹²¹⁴, Scramble⁷, and Berzerk⁷, totaling over twenty official releases⁹. Each cartridge reportedly cost around $30¹⁶.

Auditory output was handled by the General Instrument AY-3-8910 sound chip, supporting three simultaneous channels with diverse audio effects. The same chip later appeared in the Atari ST and Intellivision⁸. Controls consisted of a 360° self-centering joystick and four concave action buttons, connected via a 4-foot detachable cord⁷¹³. The chassis featured a recessed handle, suggesting portability, though its weight made true mobility impractical⁸.

General Consumer Electronics (GCE) began production in August 1982 and released the unit that October at $199⁸¹⁰, though one source claims $249.99¹¹ and another cites a suggested price near $200¹⁶. It debuted at the Summer CES in June 1982⁸. In March 1983, Milton Bradley acquired GCE and expanded distribution overseas, including a Japanese release as the Bandai Vectrex Kousokusen⁸. Despite critical acclaim and steady sales¹⁰¹⁶, the system faced headwinds: a high price compared to the Atari VCS or Intellivision¹¹, and a limited software library. A year after launch, the video game market collapsed, and the Vectrex was discontinued as a casualty¹¹.

Accessories included the Vectrex 3-D Imager⁹¹⁵ and the Light Pen, available for approximately $40⁹. A carry case and dust cover retailed for $13.95 and $4.95 respectively². A keyboard and memory expander were under development, as was a wafer tape storage device, though none achieved widespread release⁵.

The Vectrex earned a cult reputation for its industrial design and technical ambition⁸. Paul Newell’s Scramble won an Arcade Award from Electronic Games magazine in a category seemingly created for the platform¹⁰. Tom Sloper, designer of Bedlam, also created Spike, the system’s unofficial mascot¹⁰. By 2003, working units fetched $70–130 in the US and £100–180 in the UK, with Japanese Bandai models commanding £250–400¹⁰. Its rarity today reflects both its short lifespan and the fragility of its CRT-based design.

References

1. Vectrex Service Manual
2. Vectrex PassportMagazine OCR
3. Depliant Vectrex
4. VectrexMinijackInputMod2014 (2014)
5. VectrexBrochure
6. Vectrex–Service Manual HP-3000–Attachment 1–Vectrex Waveforms
7. Archive item #198308
8. 300 Baud 01
9. logical gamer jul83
10. EDGE.RETRO.N3.2003.Guide.collecting-DURiAN (2003)
11. Electronic Games 1994-08 (1994)
12. Electronic Games Issue 21 Vol 02 09 1983 Nov (1983)
13. Electronic Fun Computer and Games Vol 01 03 1983 Jan (1983)
14. Electronic Games Issue 20 Vol 02 08 1983 Oct (1983)
15. logical gamer novdec83
16. Electronic Games Issue 18 Vol 02 06 1983 Aug (1983)